Daily Football News Round-Up Thursday 18th April

Sam Allardyce will not be punished for the comments he made after West Ham’s draw with Manchester United, the FA has confirmed. Big Sam was furious after officials failed to spot that Robin Van Persie was offside as he scored the equaliser in last night’s game but will avoid punishment.

Hillsborough justice campaigner Anne Williams has died aged 62 following a battle with bowel cancer. She was diagnosed with terminal cancer in October but continued to fight for her cause.

Sunderland have confirmed striker Steven Fletcher has undergone surgery on the ankle injury that has ruled him out for the rest of the season. The club are hopeful that the frontman will return to full fitness for the start of next season.

Atletico Madrid superstar Radamel Falcao has denied rumours linking him with a move to Manchester United in the summer. “I do not really know where that information has come from, that is part of the press. I’m focussed only on Atletico Madrid,” he told Columbian radio station RCN.

Leighton Baines has said the Everton board need to back manager David Moyes if they want the club to push for Champions League qualification.

Leyton Orient chairman Barry Hearn has announced the club will give away 1,500 free season tickets to teenagers and students next season. The move is a result of the unsuccessful bid to move to the site of the Olympic stadium. There were fears that West Ham moving to the ground, just one mile from theirs, would drastically reduce support in the long term.

Rochdale manager Keith Hill has penned a new three-year deal, keeping him at the club until 2016.

Newcastle United defender Ryan Taylor has insisted he will return from the injury that looks set to keep him out for the whole of next season.

Arsene Wenger has ruled out a return to Arsenal for Alex Song next season. The midfielder has struggled to hold down a first team place since his move to Barcelona, but Wenger has urged his former player to give it one more season at the Catalan giants.

Jamie Redknapp has admitted that while the race for this seasons title may be dead and buried, the battles for the top four and league survival make this one of the best seasons yet.